AT HOME WITHRory Dobner

Rory Dobner’s earliest memories are of leaving kindergarten with artwork dripping with paint. Such was his enthusiasm that he piled on so much that it ended up as a pool of brown sludge on the paper. ‘My teacher suggested I might fare better with a pencil,’ laughs the artist, whose illustrations now adorn plates, baubles and other collectibles sold at John Lewis.

Dobner’s early ‘more is more’ approach is still alive and kicking – especially during the festive season. ‘Christmas in the 1980s meant pop music, Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman, tinsel and over consumption,’ he says of his childhood. ‘My mother dressed up my brother and I in red corduroys and bow ties. There were carols, mince pies and the whiff of mulled wine.’ Fast forward to 2021 and not much has changed in the Hampstead home Dobner shares with his family.

Christmas Day itself is celebrated with Dobner’s wife, Claire, who runs his company, and their sons Louie, 16, and Huxley, 14. The tree goes up as early as November. ‘My sons always want the biggest one we can find,’ he says. There is much excitement at getting the baubles out of the shoe boxes. ‘Over the years we’ve built up a huge collection,’ says Dobner of his festive treasures.

Refreshingly, there are no style ‘rules’. Some baubles are vintage papier mâché, some are wooden, some have flashing lights, others are lobster themed. Anything goes. As for the much-coveted monochrome baubles that Dobner himself designs and are now available at John Lewis, they were an organic, happy accident. Two years ago his children bought him a blank set of baubles to illustrate and the idea blossomed from there. The rest is history.

This exuberant and eclectic style mirrors the decor of Dobner’s maximalist family home all year around. Originally bought as a two-bedroom apartment, it now extends to a basement and lateral conversion as well as a garden extension. It’s a warren of rooms which the family jokingly refers to as ‘Hamsterville’. The walls are painted a tasteful off-white but splashes of bold and deep colour can be found everywhere.

‘I absolutely love colours in nature,’ Dobner says. ‘Grass green, pale rose pink, the dark blue-green of the sea and dark purple – like squid ink – on my sofas.’ Added to the mix are much cherished vintage pieces. These include Dobner’s first office desk, complete with school graffiti, that he bought at auction in Sydney. There is also a kitchen table made from a chemistry lab worktop and, of course, his own wildly imaginative illustrations crop up everywhere around the home.

Each Christmas, the dining table is a focal point. ‘We go crazy,’ he admits. ‘It’s a Mad Hatter’s tea party with lots of objects and a broken clock face on the table. There are candelabras with hot pink candles, and then we try and jam the food into the spaces – but there isn’t always any room left.’

On the big day itself, Dobner’s favourite traditions include waking up early, opening stockings and eating chocolate first thing in the morning. As for this year, does he think it will be extra special? ‘It most certainly will,’ he answers, ‘but it’s also about learning to be mindful and joyful and to accept whatever or whoever you have with you – whether that’s a relative, a friend or even your dog.’ At the Dobners, everyone will be welcome.